The Communicative Implications Of Nigerian English Usage

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Review Of Related Literature

This chapter reviews literature related to the topic of the research. The review concerns conceptual framework and some empirical studies. The review centers on the following areas:

i. Nigerian English: Argument on its Existence.

ii. Nigerian English and issue of intelligibility

iii. Nigerian English: A variation or a deviation?

Conceptual Framework

2.1 Nigerian English: Argument on its Existence. Some linguists view the argument on the existence of Nigerian English, as effort in futility. Kachru (29), Adetugbo (1980) and Adekunle (24) all cited in Uzoezie (170 – 171), are major advocates of this school of thought. In other words, these scholars among others maintain that there is evidence of “Nigerianess” in the English of Nigerians.

Bamgbose in Jowitt (35) expresses it clearly: The greater need now, however is to get away from over flogged issues of standard vs-non-standard, international vs internal and to concentrate on the interesting task of specifying, describing, analyzing the forms of Nigerian English…. In another forum, Bamgbose substantiates the above stance when he says that “the challenges we face now is to intensify research on this English and codify it appropriately”. To Bamgbose, therefore, to argue on its existence is to argue on an obvious fact. Nwoke equally concurs with the above view. He asserts that: given the role of English as an L2 in Nigeria, it is bound to be influenced by an L1, and the entire cultural environment. Influences of environment and an L1 on an L2 may not result in errors per se. it can result in new forms…. Re-affirming the above argument Bamgbose in Bamgbose, Banjo and Thomas (eds) concludes that nativization of English in Nigeria is not limited to the usual features of transfer of phonological, lexical, syntactic and semantic patterns of Nigerian Language into English; it also concerned with the creative development of English, including the evolution of distinctive Nigerian usages, attitudes and pragmatic use of the language (II) No doubt, Bamgbose’s so called nativization gives many users of English in Nigeria the unlimited freedom to bend the linguistic rules of the language. What we rather have is a blend of the language with vernacular features or what is called transliteration . The situation is so rampant that one wonders if what is often spoken by some Nigerians is anything English.

Moreover Jowitt (53) tends to agree with Bamgbose. He opines that major change English undergoes in Nigeria will concern not its status but its form, since the process of indigenization which already makes Nigerian English a recognizable and highly distinctive variety (or cluster of varieties) will continue…” Uzoezie corroborates Bamgbose, Nwoke and Jowitt. He too believes that “English in Nigeria is continuously undergoing processes of nativization, domestication and acculturation both at the national level and within each ethno-linguistic context”. He further adds that the situation explains why it is difficult to identify and describe what may be called “standard Nigerian English” and at the same time posits the probable existence of “Nigerian Englishes”. (173). It is understandable from both Jowitt and Uzoezie’s opinions that Nigerian English is yet to be fully established or developed secondly, that there is the possibility for the development of “Nigerian Englishes”. It may be for this reason that Babatunde (133) warns that “Since the concept of Nigerian English is still developing, definitive statements about its status are premature”. He therefore reiterates Kujore’s counsel, that there is a limit to which we can allow the notion of getting the idea to take utmost preeminence over correctness because at a level, that tyranny (of the idea) induces complacency or even laziness. The variation is the gainer, the standard, the looser. Kujore goes further to suggest “a comprehensive description, codification of its (NE) grammar for it to serve as a normative guidance especially for teaching and learning. This approach, up until now, has not been adopted. This status quo therefore explains the “complacency” or the “Laziness” if not the confusion or dilemma of some users of English language in Nigeria.